Monday, August 23, 2010

Is Computer Science Truly Scientific?

I'd like to share with you the latest Communications of the ACM Viewpoint from Gonzalo Génova, professor at Universidad Carlos III, regarding research, scientific evidence and experimentation.

I will reproduce here some pieces that I found most insightful:
<<There cannot be a complete science activity that consists solely of proving theories by means of experiments: first, theories must be formulated and developed and their explanatory power must be demonstrated so that the investment of human and material resources in the experiments, which may be very costly, can be justified: then, the experiments that will prove of refute the theories must be carried out. Moreover, experimental verification may say something about the truth of a theory, but it can say nothing about its relevance, that is, its interest to the scientific community or society as a whole.>>


<<[…] the distinguishing feature of the scientific method is its “public”, “social” character.>>
<<[…] what the scientist looks for is to follow a way toward knowledge that can be followed by other researchers; the goal is to “convince” the scientific community of the validity of certain results.>>
<<Experience and speculation must go hand in hand with the way of science. Some investigations will have a basically experimental character, while others will be primarily speculative, with a wide gradation between these two extremes. As long as all are demonstrable, we should not consider some to be more worthy of respect than others. […] call upon researchers who might feel inclined toward speculative matters –and even more upon those in charge of research neither to close the door nor give up on this kind of scientific activity, which is essential for the progress of knowledge.>>
I personally like this article because it tells me as a researcher: do not stop dreaming!!!. Even if your dreams can only be proved in a piece of paper and not empirically, they are worth looking at them, talking about them, proving them, ... As the author says extraordinary researchers like Turing, Von Neumann, Shannon, Knuth, Hoare, Dijkstra, Wirth, Feigenbaum, McCarthy, Codd, Chen, Lamport, Zadeh, Meyer, Cerf, Berner-Lee and many others did not distinguish their work by their experimental character.
I will keep all this in mind when speaking to people, clients, and colleagues about how I see the future. I’d like to think that I work to build that future and prove others that it can be feasible. Past experience and current experiments are important, but the future belongs to those that can prove, even if just in their minds and on paper for the moment, how things will be. 


(from Accenture post on 21/07/2010) 

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